This working paper provides an overview of the current landscape of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southeast Asia (SEA). As a global repository of marine biodiversity and endemism, this region has also been rated as one of the most biotically threatened. To address the losses in marine biodiversity and habitats, MPAs have been increasingly adopted worldwide, including in SEA. Unfortunately, there exist several problems in the implementation of MPAs in the region. To investigate this issue, the paper highlights issues affecting MPAs’ success, including the lack of management effectiveness, law enforcement, and financial capacity. The relationship with local communities in SEA’s MPAs emerges as a particularly pertinent issue, as locals play important roles in enabling the biological and socio-economic success of MPAs.
